(CNN) — By now it seems like everyone has seen or heard that Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at Sunday’s Academy Awards after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The incident has led people to take sides on whether Smith was defending his wife’s honor or if he had stepped out of line (Rock has declined to press charges).
It has also made people wonder.
Did Chris Rock know about Jada Pinkett’s alopecia?
Smith took offense when Rock joked about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
“I love you Jada, ‘GI Jane 2,’ I can’t wait to see it,” Rock said as he presented the award for best documentary.
Smith stormed onto the stage, slapped Rock, then returned to his seat and yelled at the comedian, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!”
It is unclear if Rock was aware that Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, which is hair loss that can be caused by an autoimmune response.
Some on social media pointed out that Rock, who produced the 2009 documentary “Good Hair,” should have known.
“It’s a documentary about hair culture and the hair business,” Rock told the Salt Lake Tribune at the time of the film’s premiere. “My daughter was complaining one day about her hair and I talked to some of her friends and her daughters had hair problems. I thought it was a good starting point to start a movie.”
CNN has contacted representatives for Rock and the Smiths for comment.
Will the Academy take action?
Shortly after the incident, Smith received the best actor award for his role as Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, in “King Richard.”
In his acceptance speech, Smith noted that “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family.”
“At this time in my life, at this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling me to do and be in this world,” Smith said. “I am being called in my life to love people and to protect people. And to be a river for my people.”
“And I know that to do what we do you have to be able to take abuse, and you have to be able to (take) people talking like crazy about you,” he added. “In this business, you have to be able to be disrespected by people and you have to smile and pretend that’s okay.”
Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but not to Rock at the time. This Monday, the actor posted an apology on Instagram addressed to the comedian.
The Academy said in a tweet Sunday night that the organization “does not condone violence in any form.”
On Monday, the Academy condemned Smith’s actions.
“We have officially initiated a formal review into the incident and will explore further action and consequences consistent with our charter, standards of conduct, and California law,” the Academy said in a statement to CNN.
The Board of Governors of the Academy can vote on disciplinary measures such as suspension or expulsion from the organization.
Will Smith’s career suffer?
Smith’s career has had some breakout hits (“Independence Day” and the “Men in Black” franchise) as well as flops (“Wild Wild West” and “After Earth”).
But he is definitely on the upswing with the critically acclaimed “King Richard,” a film that has become a triumph for Smith.
He has several projects on the way, including the Antoine Fuqua-directed film “Emancipation.”
What, if any, professional repercussions Smith will have remains unknown.
CNN’s Chloe Melas contributed to this report
(CNN) — By now it seems like everyone has seen or heard that Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at Sunday’s Academy Awards after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The incident has led people to take sides on whether Smith was defending his wife’s honor or if he had stepped out of line (Rock has declined to press charges).
It has also made people wonder.
Did Chris Rock know about Jada Pinkett’s alopecia?
Smith took offense when Rock joked about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
“I love you Jada, ‘GI Jane 2,’ I can’t wait to see it,” Rock said as he presented the award for best documentary.
Smith stormed onto the stage, slapped Rock, then returned to his seat and yelled at the comedian, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!”
It is unclear if Rock was aware that Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, which is hair loss that can be caused by an autoimmune response.
Some on social media pointed out that Rock, who produced the 2009 documentary “Good Hair,” should have known.
“It’s a documentary about hair culture and the hair business,” Rock told the Salt Lake Tribune at the time of the film’s premiere. “My daughter was complaining one day about her hair and I talked to some of her friends and her daughters had hair problems. I thought it was a good starting point to start a movie.”
CNN has contacted representatives for Rock and the Smiths for comment.
Will the Academy take action?
Shortly after the incident, Smith received the best actor award for his role as Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, in “King Richard.”
In his acceptance speech, Smith noted that “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family.”
“At this time in my life, at this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling me to do and be in this world,” Smith said. “I am being called in my life to love people and to protect people. And to be a river for my people.”
“And I know that to do what we do you have to be able to take abuse, and you have to be able to (take) people talking like crazy about you,” he added. “In this business, you have to be able to be disrespected by people and you have to smile and pretend that’s okay.”
Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but not to Rock at the time. This Monday, the actor posted an apology on Instagram addressed to the comedian.
The Academy said in a tweet Sunday night that the organization “does not condone violence in any form.”
On Monday, the Academy condemned Smith’s actions.
“We have officially initiated a formal review into the incident and will explore further action and consequences consistent with our charter, standards of conduct, and California law,” the Academy said in a statement to CNN.
The Board of Governors of the Academy can vote on disciplinary measures such as suspension or expulsion from the organization.
Will Smith’s career suffer?
Smith’s career has had some breakout hits (“Independence Day” and the “Men in Black” franchise) as well as flops (“Wild Wild West” and “After Earth”).
But he is definitely on the upswing with the critically acclaimed “King Richard,” a film that has become a triumph for Smith.
He has several projects on the way, including the Antoine Fuqua-directed film “Emancipation.”
What, if any, professional repercussions Smith will have remains unknown.
CNN’s Chloe Melas contributed to this report